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In its own right, Honkai Star Rail is an amazing game. However, more often than not, it is often overshadowed by another HoYoverse game, Genshin Impact. Although the Genshin Impact versus Honkai Star Rail comparison is easy to make, the games have quite a few differences. Sadly, Honkai Star Rail still lacks the notoriety to highlight these differences and stand out from Genshin. Overall, this leads to fewer newcomers coming to Honkai Star Rail, even though Genshin Impact isn’t a better game, just a different one. Those who play Genshin do not need to play an almost identical game, while newcomers would flock to the already popular Genshin Impact. To fix this problem, here are five things Honkai Star Rail can do to stand out from Genshin Impact.
5. New Gameplay Elements & Features
One thing that Genshin Impact rarely does is add new weapons and elements. Since the beginning of the game, only the Dendro element has been added. However, one thing that Honkai Star Rail can do to stand out is to frequently add changes like these. For example, if Honkai Star Rail added a new Path and Type every large update, then it would increase character and build variety. Additionally, despite sounding like a lot, it really should only amount to one new path and element every year. On top of this, due to the lack of Elemental Reactions, implementing new elements into Honkai Star Rail should be much easier than Genshin Impact. Due to its turn-based combat, constantly changing the game may be Honkai Star Rail‘s biggest strength.
4. Bigger & Grander Boss Fights Than Genshin
One of the coolest parts of both Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail is the boss fights. So far, one of the highlights of Honkai Star Rail has been the boss encounters, each with unique mechanics and challenges. However, once again due to Honkai Star Rail‘s turn-based combat versus Genshin Impact’s action combat, Honkai has a bit more freedom with how they can change the formula for boss fights. Although currently, both game’s boss fights have around the same mechanical variety, if Honkai Star Rail were to push this even further, it would cause the game to stand out. Even introducing something akin to a Final Fantasy Superboss would be perfect. Having a massive multi-hour encounter may make for an interesting challenge Honkai Star Rail can have over Genshin.
3. More Frequent Honkai Events
Already, Honkai Star Rail has a big advantage over Genshin in the form of events. In Honkai Star Rail, players have the opportunity to replay old events or catch up on events they missed. While this is already a great advantage, HoYoverse can also push this idea a little further. By increasing the frequency of updates, Honkai Star Rail should stand out more than Genshin. Even if the events become too much for players to catch them all, the event catch-up mechanic will be there to help them. Adding more frequent events at this point feels like something only Honkai Star Rail can do.
2. PVP to Help Honkai Stand Out
Something absent in both Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact is a Player versus Player mode. Although there have been PvP events in Genshin before, none of them have utilized the game’s actual combat. This makes sense since the combat of Genshin wouldn’t pair well with PvP. However, Honkai Star Rail would fit the PvP formula much better. The turn-based combat of Honkai Star Rail would help create an interesting, strategic experience. If the mode was two separate parties both taking on the same dungeon to see who gets farther would be fun as well. Overall, adding any PvP mode will be enough to help Honkai Star Rail stand out.
1. Better Character Customization & Alternative Outfits
Although Genshin Impact has been out for almost three years, the game is lacking in a wide variety of alternate outfits for characters. One easy way to end the Honkai Star Rail versus Genshin Impact comparison is to increase the number of alternative outfits in the game. Overall, starting early with alternate skins for characters would make implementing them a lot easier. Additionally, they would give players more of an opportunity to use their paid, in-game currency. Although it may be difficult to add this sort of thing with the intricate animations of some abilities, it would still be a fun thing that could set Honkai Star Rail apart.
